Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 454: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of persons in receipt of fuel allowance as part of the national fuel scheme who live in privately owned non-local authority housing which were constructed prior to 2002 that have been contacted in connection with the warmer home schemes; if all persons are eligible for this scheme; when all persons in this category will be informed of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40278/10]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 474: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of persons who have been contacted in connection with the warmer homes scheme; if all persons in receipt of fuel allowance as part of the national fuel scheme who live in privately owned non-local authority housing which were constructed prior to 2002 are eligible for this scheme; when all persons in this category will be informed of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40279/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Question Nos. 454 and 474 together.

The Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS), provides energy efficiency improvements to homes in, or at risk of, energy poverty and is targeted at householders who are in receipt of the Fuel Allowance, Disability Benefit or Invalidity Benefit. Measures undertaken include attic insulation, draught proofing, lagging jackets, energy efficient lighting, cavity wall insulation and energy advice at no cost to eligible households. The scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department, and is delivered through a combination of community based organisations (CBOs) and a panel of private contractors. Vulnerable homes are primarily identified by the SEAI and the CBOs, who work in partnership with local networks of community support and poverty organisations, which include public health nurses, MABS and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. Since the inception of the WHS in 2000, almost 62,000 low income homes have been upgraded with energy efficiency measures. The 2010 Allocation for the WHS is €29.81 million, and it is expected that 22,500 homes will be assisted under the scheme this year.

The SEAI has worked closely with the Department of Social Protection to identify vulnerable homes, and has conducted a mail shot directed at 46,000 homes in receipt of Fuel Allowance in areas not covered by the CBOs. The mail shot was dispatched in July 2010, and comprised information on the scheme and the application process. Some 13,300 applications have been received to date, and it is estimated that approximately 15,000 eligible homes will be identified through this process. In addition to this mail shot, the updated Keep Well and Warm booklet, and the associated website, provide energy saving advice as well as information on grant schemes and other supports. Some 140,000 copies of the booklet have been distributed across the country to date, and further distribution will take place in the course of the winter months.